The Big Give, The Columbus Foundation’s signature community giving event, was held on October 10–11, 2017 to support area nonprofits.

The 26-hour online event leveraged an incredible $18,003,826 to support 906 central Ohio nonprofits. This was the biggest total yet! A record 30,279 donations were received. Donations came from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 7 countries.

All donations received during The Big Give were eligible for Bonus Pool Funds on a pro rata basis, giving everyone who participated the opportunity to have their donation(s) amplified. In addition, all credit card fees were covered by The Columbus Foundation, so 100 percent of donations went directly to the nonprofits.

“The Big Give inspires kindness, generosity, and lively conversation across our community. Cathy and I love the opportunity to be part of lifting up the critical work of our region’s nonprofits. And, it provides the nonprofit community with a great platform to make their case for support.”

— JEFF LYTTLE, COLUMBUS FOUNDATION DONOR

For the first time, The Big Give was expanded beyond Franklin County to include nine additional central Ohio counties in the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Delaware, Fairfield, Hocking, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Perry, Pickaway, and Union. As a result, 172 nonprofit organizations in these counties collectively bene ted from nearly $1.2 million.

A total of 906 nonprofit organizations received donations through the 2017 Big Give. This is an incredible 54 percent increase over the number of nonprofits that received donations during the 2015 Big Give.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the central Ohio community. Last year, Mid-Ohio Foodbank distributed enough food for 155,000 meals each and every day—half of which was fresh. Yet, there is still a gap across our neighborhoods, including one in four children who do not know where their next meal will come from. The Big Give has been a powerful partnership within the community to help fill that gap. On behalf of our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet, thank you.” —Matt Habash, President & CEO, Mid-Ohio Foodbank